BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Public Works Authority (Asghal) is in the final stages of completing its Master Plan for the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) of Qatar set to improve mobility and reduce accidents in the country through an integrated and efficient transport system, a top Ashghal official said yesterday.
“We are in the last stages of the Master Plan. We need to get the approval for the strategy and the action plan and we will implement it in coordination with stake holders,” said Ashghal President Nasser Ali Al Mawlawi, upon opening the three-day ITS and Road Safety Forum Qatar 2012 yesterday at the Renaissance Hotel Doha.
Addressing the forum, he emphasised investment in ITS is one of the major initiatives of Ashghal in cooperation with various stakeholders in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016.
Started last year, the Master Plan which runs until 2020 will present a clear roadmap for integrating all the forms of transportation in Qatar such as expressway, railway, metro/LRT and Doha Bay crossing among others. Al Mawlawi added the comprehensive ITS project will not only advance Qatar’s competitiveness on world stage but also more importantly reduce accidents.
“Proven benefits of ITS around the world include reduction in accidents and deaths, improved incident detection and response, reduction in congestion and delay, improved mobility and environmentally responsible and sustainable roadway and public transport systems and satisfied travelers,” said said Imad Nassereddine, Advisor for Road Operations and Maintenance, Asset Affairs in Ashghal. ITS which started in the 80s has been a major part of the London Olympics and will also be an important part of World Cup 2022, according to Naserreddine.
In coming up with the Master Plan, Ashghal conducted a study of the 10 cities having best practices in ITS, reviewed the regional trend and visited world leading cities. The strategy, Nassereddine said, was based on 3I approach: Informative, Intelligent and Integrated.
Explaining some developments in ITS in Qatar, Nassereddine said Ashghal inaugurated its traffic signal control room in March this year and already installed 29 CCTV cameras, 26 signalised junctions and 136 traffic signals across Qatar. More than 150 international executives including industry leaders shaping the future of ITS and road safety in the region have gathered in the forum which concludes with a workshop tomorrow.
The Peninsula
